Daily Archives: June 30, 2022

Public Input Requested on San Jose Creek Bike Path Project

Environmental Document Available for Review/Comments Until August 1

The long-awaited, much anticipated San Jose Creek Bike Path Project (Project) has reached the next stage in the process. The public is now able to review the environmental document for the project and provide comments until August 1, 2022, at noon. The San Jose Creek Bike Path Project is an important component of the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan as it will provide a critical connection between existing bike routes north of U.S. 101 and the Atascadero Creek Bike Path to the south. In particular, it will connect bike routes north of Calle Real all the way to the Coast Route, that connects to Goleta Beach, UCSB and into Santa Barbara.

The document is available here on the City’s website. Please submit your public comment via email to Laura Bridley (LBridley@cityofgoleta.org) AND Teresa Lopes (TLopes@cityofgoleta.org). Comments can also be mailed to the City of Goleta ATTN: Laura Bridley and Teresa Lopes, 130 Cremona Drive, Suite B, Goleta, CA 93117. All comments must be received no later than Monday, August 1, 2022 at 12:00 p.m.

Goleta Public Works Director Charlie Ebeling said, “The San Jose Creek Bike Path Project was envisioned before the City was incorporated more than 20 years ago. We are excited it is back in the spotlight and ready for public input once again. This is a complex project that has involved close coordination with various agencies including Caltrans and the County of Santa Barbara. When complete, the project will be an incredible asset for our community and will make it easier for pedestrians and bicyclists to get around.”

The Initial Study-Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS-MND) environmental document for the Project describes the detailed improvements that will be made to the City’s transportation system. It also discusses the possible environmental effects of building this nearly 1.5-mile route, along with comprehensive protection measures and construction management strategies.

Here is what the plan entails: The new path will include space for bicycles and pedestrians beginning on Calle Real, proceeding under the U.S. 101, and continuing along San Jose Creek through Armitos Park and Jonny D. Wallis Park in Old Town north of Hollister Avenue. The route will then pick up on Kellogg Avenue, and cross over State Route 217 (Ward Memorial Boulevard) on a 350-foot long 12-foot wide bicycle/pedestrian bridge. The path then lowers to align adjacent to State Route 217, separated by a 2-foot concrete barrier and bicycle/pedestrian rail to separate users from the roadway. At the south end of the project, the bike path will continue under State Route 217 in a newly constructed box culvert, and daylight again on the southeast side of the highway to connect to the existing Atascadero Creek Bike Path. A project map is available here.

After this public comment period on the draft IS-MND, the Project will be scheduled for review and approval by the City Council, anticipated in September 2022. Following the City of Goleta approval, the project will proceed to the California Coastal Commission for permitting in accordance with the State Coastal Act.

For more information contact Teresa Lopes (Tlopes@cityofgoleta.org; 805-961-7563) or Laura Bridley (LBridley@cityofgoleta.org, 805-896-2153). Or visit our project webpage for more information.


Project location map

Join #TeamGoleta! Apply for a Job Opening with the City

Join our team! The City of Goleta has a variety of jobs open throughout different departments. We are looking for great people to join us in serving the community. If you are interested in a job where you can make a difference, we encourage you to apply.

Current job openings include (in alphabetical order):

  • Accounting Specialist & Accounting Supervisor
  • Administrative Assistant
  • Department Aides – Fleet Management
  • Engineering Positions (multiple)
  • Homelessness Services Coordinator
  • Library Positions (multiple)
  • Maintenance Worker
  • Public Records Specialist
  • Public Works Supervisor
  • Senior Management Analyst

You can learn more about the open positions and apply at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/goletaca. #TeamGoleta #GoodLandGreatJobs

 

Get Ready for the 2022 Goleta Lemon Festival

Mark your calendar for the 29th Annual Lemon Festival on September 24 & 25, 2022, at Girsh Park (7050 Phelps Road), put on by the South Coast Chamber of Commerce. The event takes place from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Saturday and 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.

For the past 28 years, the Lemon Festival has been the biggest celebration in the Goleta area and it keeps getting better each year. You’ll find wonderful food, a fantastic family atmosphere, and a variety of entertainment and activities that have made this the most anticipated event on the Goleta coast. The weekend also includes the Goleta Fall Classic Car and Street Rod Show and the ever-popular ‘Safety Street.’

Applications for vendors and volunteers are now being accepted. Each year, the festival hosts 70+ booths featuring local non-profit organizations, as well as food, beverage, and merchandise.

For more information go to https://lemonfestival.com/.

Celebrate July at Rancho La Patera & Stow House

The Goleta Valley History Society has a lot of fun activities planned this month. Check out one or all of them!

  • Old Fashioned 4th of July: This local favorite is returning Monday, July 4, from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Adults and children of all ages will enjoy a day of live music, classic cars, hayrides, goats and chickens, an old engine show, tours, various games, and much more. Grab a bite of famous BBQ from Country Catering or cool off with some refreshing ice cream. Volunteers are still needed! If you are interested please email lisa@goletahistory.org.
  • Stow 150: The Stow House is celebrating their 150th anniversary with a free community event on Saturday, July 16, from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. This fun-filled day includes live music with Hoodlum Friends, tractor rides, goats, chickens, self-guided tours of the historic Stow House, and exhibits of Stow Ranch history. BYOC (bring your own lawn chair). Parking is limited – carpooling and Uber/Lyft are encouraged.
  • Music at the Ranch: This popular Tuesday Night Free Summer Concert Series begins July 19 with ‘Down Mountain Lights” and continues for five consecutive weeks. All concerts are from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. There will be food trucks and a cash bar serving beer and wine. Be advised, parking is again limited. The lineup includes:
    • July 26: MoneLov
    • August 2: Tony Ybarra
    • August 9: King Be
    • August 16: Donna Greene and the Roadside Daddies

For more information on these great events and more, please visit http://goletahistory.org/. All events take place at Rancho La Patera & Stow House located at 304 N. Los Carneros Road.

Pride Flag Raised at Goleta City Hall

The City of Goleta had its first commemorative flag flying at City Hall. On June 22, Councilmember Kyle Richards raised the Pride Flag in honor of LGBTQ+ Pride Month. This was an exciting moment as it was the first time a flag other than the United States Flag or California State Flag has been displayed at City Hall.

The City Council also recognized June 2022 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month with a proclamation at its June 21, 2022, City Council meeting. LGBTQ+ individuals in the United States have fought for equal treatment, dignity, and respect, and remain determined to pursue full equality, respect, and inclusion for all individuals regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Despite being marginalized throughout the history of the United States, LGBTQ+ individuals continue to celebrate their identities, love, and contributions in various expressions of Pride. The City Council encourages the Goleta community to join in celebration and appreciation of the LGBTQ+ community. View the proclamation at https://tinyurl.com/3bme2khp.


Councilmember Kyle Richards with the newly raised Pride Flag at Goleta City Hall


Kristin Flickinger, Executive Director of the Pacific Pride Foundation, receiving the proclamation from the Goleta City Hall

Summer Reading Program Underway

Our “Oceans of Possibilities” Summer Reading Program participants are making a big splash at the library this summer! Since the program started on June 3rd, more than 800 kids, teens and adults have participated! There is still time to dive into the fun and earn prizes that are “shore” to delight through the end of the program on July 30th. We have a great month of all-ages programming lined up for July, so be sure to save the dates and we’ll “sea” you soon at the library!

Upcoming events at the Goleta Valley Library include:

  • Juggler David Cousin, Thursday, July 7th at 3:00 p.m.
  • Ocean Craft for Adults & Teens, Saturday, July 9th from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  • Ocean Craft for Kids, Thursday, July 14th from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • Mark Collier Magic Show, Saturday, July 16th at 10:30am
  • Nathalia Music Concert, Saturday, July 23rd at 2:30pm
  • End of Program Summer Splash, Saturday, July 30th from 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Electrify Your Home Program Launches

First there was Electrify Your Ride, now Central Coast Community Energy (CCCE) is encouraging you to Electrify Your House. The Electrify Your Home program in partnership with TECH Clean California, provides contractors with cash incentives for switching gas-powered water heaters and HVAC equipment to all-electric versions in single-family and multi-family homes. CCCE’s energy programs incentives are tiered to provide the greatest benefit to customers with the fewest resources. In addition, contractors completing work on CCCE customer sites that qualify for CARE/FERA are eligible for an additional $1,000 per unit incentive through the Electrify Your Home program. Electrify Your Home will further advance CCCE’s efforts to reduce regional greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through electrification of the building sector. 

Benefits of Going Electric

For Residents:

  • Going electric reduces regional greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that come from natural gas and propane and reduces the reliance on gas
  • Homes without gas are safer and healthier
  • A home with all-electric appliances saves 2.5 metric tons of carbon a year, equivalent to taking one car off the road for an entire year
  • Be a leader and inspire friends and neighbors to electrify their home and build a cleaner environment for the Central Coast

For Contractors:

  • Enroll to access incentives and get your business listed in TECH Clean California’s “Find A Contractor” database  
  • Access free, high-quality workforce education and training to learn how to install the latest heat pump technology safely for residential clients 
  • Receive support, including pre-installation analysis 
  • Access streamlined permitting and financial resources for large projects 
  • Receive hands-on support for contractors who serve and hire workers in low-income communities 
  • Access supply chain engagement to increase inventory and selection of appliances carried by local distributors 

Those who live in a CCCE service area, and contractors, can learn more the program at https://3cenergy.org/electrify-your-home/.

Safely Dispose Your Hazardous Waste For FREE

Properly disposing hazardous waste helps keep our communities clean and healthy, but did you know it also helps keep people safe? For example, when cell phones or other batteries are thrown away in regular waste bins, they can get compacted in trash trucks, ignite, and cause a fire (here is a link to a recent example in Riverside County).

Environmental Services wants to remind residents that they can use the Goleta Recycling Center to safely get rid of tricky trash like oil, electronics, batteries, and paint for FREE!

The Goleta Recycling Center is located at 20 David Love Pl, and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. They are also open on select Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (7/2, 7/16, 8/6, and 8/20). You can find the updated schedule on MarBorg’s website at www.marborg.com/marborg-goleta-recycling-center.

Examples of items that can be taken to the Center include:

  • E-waste (computers, monitors, radios, etc… anything with an electrical cord)
  • Fluorescent light bulbs
  • Antifreeze
  • Batteries
  • Cell phones
  • Oil (petroleum based: motor oil, hydraulic oil, etc…)
  • Paint (both oil and water-based)

Please do your part to keep our community safe by using the Goleta Recycling Center for your hazardous waste. You can also visit the Recycling Center’s Website for more information.

Food Recovery Network Business Spotlight: Jordano’s Foodservice

The City of Goleta has launched the edible food recover program as part of SB1383 to help ensure edible food waste gets to community members struggling with food insecurity. We want to congratulate businesses who have been early adopters of joining this program, not only helping our community, but also helping reduce greenhouse gases generated by food waste.

Jordano’s was one of the first local Goleta businesses to sign up, and has been a leader in our City’s food recovery program. Recently, Karrie Reeves-Gilbraith, Food Safety & Compliance with Jordano’s Foodservice Inc., gave some insight into how businesses play a crucial role in edible food recovery.

Why do you participate in the Santa Barbara County Food Recovery Network and how long have you been donating food?

Jordano’s Foodservice has been donating food and other items for numerous years and from what I can tell it is just a part of who they are (Jordano Family). When I came aboard, I was provided the autonomy to broaden our reach and look for ways to make that happen. The team here at Jordano’s has worked together to make this come to fruition. The SB County Food Recovery Network helps facilitate helping others and it is rewarding to know you are a part of something worthwhile.

What is the most common food you donate and what food recovery organizations do you donate to the most?

I would say dairy, produce, and juice. However, you never know what may come up but on average these are the most common items. We donate the most to Friendship Manor in Goleta and the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission

Why should other organizations participate in the SB County Food Recovery Network? Any food recovery stories you’d like to share?

It is great for people, the environment, and making a difference where you can. Having a lot of produce at the onset of COVID-19, we began donating to the Santa Barbara Wildlife Rescue and other animal shelters when the product wasn’t at the high standard we maintain for distribution but certainly could help our animal friends.

Pictured left-to-right: James (Jordano’s), Eswin (Friendship Manor) and Karrie (Jordano’s)

Green Room: Zero Waste Picnics

Let’s all do our part to reduce waste and trash pollution. We can all contribute by learning more about Zero Waste principles and making changes in our day to day lives. Please read on to learn more about this month’s topic, Zero Waste Picnics, and stay tuned for future articles that will highlight Zero Waste lifestyle choices and tips in alignment with The Five R’s of Zero Waste.

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Summer in Goleta is the perfect time to get outdoors for a picnic with friends and family. This is also a great opportunity to incorporate some principles of Zero Waste: Refuse what you don’t need, Reduce what you do need, Reuse and repair what you already have, Recycle what you can’t use, and Rot (compost) the rest. Consider doing some of the following at your next outdoor gathering:

  • Use a reusable picnic basket, cooler, or tote bag if you do not have one already; extra points for upcycling! Picnic baskets are great for photos, but before purchasing one, ask yourself if you will use it that often. Check out neighbor-based social media apps like NextDoor, Facebook, or Craigslist to see if anyone is giving away their baskets/coolers/totes. Thrift stores are also great places to check for second-hand baskets.
  • Bring your own cups and dishes. Try to get creative with what cups and dishes you or your friends can bring from home. Restaurant takeout containers can be rinsed and used again, or if you already have reusable food containers get every single last use out of it (“reuse what you already have”). Coffee mugs, reusable water bottles, cloth napkins, trays, camping gear – see what is hiding in your cupboards or garage, or upcycle reusable goods that can replace single-use plates and cups.
  • If you do need knives, forks, and spoons, use what is already in your utensil drawer, or upcycle reusable cutlery if possible. All cutlery is portable if you can take it with you!
  • Bring your own condiments and skip the single-use condiment packets from restaurants. Single-use condiment packets contribute to litter at parks at beaches. Skip them all together by brining your own preferred sauces from home.
  • Use hand towels or cloth napkins instead of paper towels/napkins. Old large towels can also be cut into smaller squares. Most fabrics (like old t-shirts) can be used in place of paper-based cleaning products. Unpaper Towels are a nice update on traditional rags, and you can make these at home!
  • Plan your menu in advance with ingredients that do not have excessive plastic packaging. You could also see what leftovers or ingredients you already have that can be whipped up into a new dish. Another option is basing your menu off finger foods – that means there’s no need to bring any cutlery!
  • If you are bringing take-out food to a picnic, ask the restaurant to skip giving you plastic cutlery. Make sure to do this while you are placing your order – whether it’s by adding a comment with an online order, or letting the restaurant know in person or over the phone. Read more about the City of Goleta’s new ordinance on Single-Use Foodware.
  • For beverages that have to be bought in a store, choose metal cans or glass bottles over plastic. It’s understandably tempting to buy sodas and other beverages for a picnic. If that’s the case for your next get together, buy drinks that are in aluminum cans or glass bottles and be sure to reuse or recycle them. Please check out our guidance so you can Recycle Right!
  • Have a plan for your leftovers. Bring reusable food wraps, like beeswax sheets, mason jars, or any other food container you already have. You can also compost any leftover food scraps at home, but please check out our guidance so you Compost Correctly!

Along with these Zero Waste principles, you can also incorporate, “pack it in, pack it out” once you’re done with your outing. Be sure to check for litter that may have blown away from your immediate area, and make sure you do not leave anything else behind.

Stay tuned for future articles about how you can help Goleta achieve Zero Waste. For now, check out some things you can start today to get to Zero Waste: Spring Cleaning.